‘Fabulous’ Lyon showered in praise by French media after ‘lighting up Manchester City’ in Champions League quarter-finals as nation gets two semi-finalists for first time ever
Lyon have received an ovation of kings in their native France, following a spectacular Champions League quarter-finals victory over Manchester City.
The Ligue 1 side defied all odds to keep Pep Guardiola’s side at bay in Lisbon and inflict yet more European heartbreak upon City.
Lyon were heavy underdogs heading into the tie, despite condemning Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus to defeat in the previous round.
Coverage in France has widely hailed Lyon, with L’Equipe praising the ‘fabulous’ team
Now, following another incredible victory, national coverage in France has hailed ‘fabulous’ Lyon for following Paris Saint Germain and ensuring half of the final four teams in he competition will hail from France.
‘Lyon created a sensation by lighting up Manchester City,’ wrote French daily L’Equipe on its front page.
France now has two teams in the last four of the Champions League for the first time ever
‘For the first time in its history, France will have two clubs in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Tuesday, PSG will face Leipzig and the next day Lyon take on Bayern.’
Lyon had gone ahead in the contest in the 24th minute after Maxwel Cornet’s smart finish, but City remained in the reckoning.
A Kevin De Bruyne strike on the cusp of 70 minutes looked set to orchestrate a frantic ending, only for City to fall apart at the seams.
A brace from Moussa Dembele, either side of a horror open-goal miss by Raheem Sterling, ensured Lyon would be booking their place in the final four.
Manchester City had an open goal chance to make it 2-2, but Raheem Sterling fluffed his lines
Sterling couldn’t believe what had happened, and moments later Lyon scored a third goal
Following the tie, manager Pep Guardiola simply insisted: ‘the show must go on.
‘I’m not able with these incredible guys to break this line and reach the quarter-finals. Three years in a row in that position we are out.
‘What these guys have done, they deserve to go through and go to the semi-finals but we are not able to. Life is how you stand up again and next season we’re going to try again.’